स्नेहक्षयश्च दीपेषु विवाहे च करग्रहः
There was loss of affection in lamps, and in marriage, the holding of hands.
तस्यैवं गुणयुक्तस्य सार्वभौमस्य भूपतेः
Thus, for that virtuous, sovereign king endowed with such qualities—
ततः पुत्रकृते गत्वा चकार सुमहत्तपः
Then, for the sake of a son, he went and performed intense austerity.
पंचाग्निसाधको ग्रीष्मे वर्षास्वाकाशसंस्थितः ६.४८.
He practiced the discipline of the five fires in summer, and during the rains he remained exposed to the sky.
ततो वर्षसहस्रांते तस्य तुष्टो महेश्वरः
Then, at the end of a thousand years, the great Lord Śiva was pleased with him.
ततस्तं प्रणिपत्योच्चैः स्तुत्वा सूक्तैः श्रुतैरपि
Then, bowing down to him with great reverence, he praised him with Vedic hymns.
त्वत्प्रसादात्सुरश्रेष्ठ यत्किंचिद्धरणीतले
By your grace, O best of gods, whatever exists on the earth—
यस्मात्त्वया महामूर्ख न प्रणामः कृतो मम
Because you, great fool, did not bow down to me,
तव संलप्स्यते पुत्रो यथोक्तः शूलपाणिना ६.४८.
Your son will speak with you as declared by the wielder of the trident.
एवमुक्त्वा भगवती सार्धं देवेन शंभुना
Having spoken thus, the goddess together with Lord Śambhu—
सोऽपि राजा वरं लब्ध्वा शापं च तदनंतरम्
That king, having obtained a boon and then a curse,
एकासनं समारूढौ कृत्वा गौरी महेश्वरौ
Gaurī and Maheśvara, seated together on one seat,
विशेषेण ददौ दानं ब्राह्मणेभ्यो महीपतिः
The king gave special gifts to the brāhmaṇas.
ततः संवत्सरस्यांते भगवान्वृषभध्वजः
Then, at the end of the year, the blessed Lord Vṛṣabhadhvaja—
ततः स नृपतिस्ताभ्यां युगपद्विधिपूर्वकम्
Then that king, with both of them, performed the prescribed rites simultaneously.
पुरा देवि मयानंदपूरे व्याकुल चेतसा
Once, O goddess, in Ānanda city, with a troubled mind,
देहार्धधारिणी देवि सदा त्वं शूलधारिणः
O goddess, you who always bear half the body of the trident-holder—
यस्तं नमति देवेशं तेन त्वं सर्वदा नता ॥ नतायां त्वयि देवेशो नतः स्यादिति मे मतिः
Whoever bows to that Lord of gods, by him you are always bowed to; when you are bowed to, the Lord of gods is also bowed to—this is my conviction.
तथापि च पृथक्त्वेन मया त्वं तु नता सह ६.४८.
Nevertheless, I have also bowed to you separately.
तस्मात्कुरु प्रसादं मे यः पुरोक्तः पुरारिणा
Therefore, grant me the favor that was previously mentioned by the enemy of Tripura.
यया वंशधरः पुत्रो दीर्घायुर्दृढविक्रमः
By her, a son who upholds the lineage, long-lived and steadfast in valor, is obtained.
तस्माद्बालोऽपि ते पुत्रः पंचत्वं समुपैष्यति
Therefore, even though your son is still a child, he will reach his end.
दर्शयित्वा तु ते दुःखमल्पमृत्युसमुद्भवम्
But after showing you the sorrow arising from his early death—
भविष्यति च दीर्घायुस्ततो वंशधरो जयी
He will then become long-lived, victorious, and a sustainer of the lineage.
तस्माद्राजन्गृहं गत्वा कुरु राज्यमभीप्सितम्
Therefore, O king, go to your palace and rule the kingdom as you desire.
अन्योऽपि मानवो यो मां रूपेणा नेनसंस्थिताम्
Any other man who worships me in this form—
तस्याहं संप्रदास्यामि पुत्रान्हृदयवांछितान्
To him also I shall grant sons according to his heart's desire.
श्रीमहादेव उवाच भूय एव नृपश्रेष्ठ मत्तः प्रार्थय वांछितम्
Śrī Mahādeva said: Once again, O best of kings, ask from me whatever you wish.
पुत्रं त्यक्त्वा त्वया सोऽपि दत्तो वंशधरो जयी ॥ ६.४८.
Even the son you gave up will be granted to you, a victorious upholder of the lineage.
तथापि न तवादेशो व्यर्थः कार्यः कथंचन
Yet your command must never be disregarded or made futile in any way.